A relaxing soak in the bath to de-stress and unwind is something many of us take for granted. However, for some people getting in and out of a bath can be very difficult.
This is true for people who may have issues with mobility such as the elderly, or people with certain disabilities. A walk-in bath provides easier access and can be a great option for those who struggle with a standard bathtub allowing them to regain more independence.
A walk-in bath is a bath that has a door that enables people to get in and out of the bath with far less difficulty. There are various options when it comes to walk-in baths, but they all work in a similar way. The addition of a door reduces the step-in height and means people are far less likely to have an accident or fall when looking to enjoy a soak in the tub. While a door on the bath sounds messy, many models come with leak-free Doors and a guaranteed lifetime seal. All require the user to enter the bath before filling it up and draining it before getting out. There are also options for walk-in showers and wet rooms.
A walk-in bath can also have various additional features and can also be tailored to the individual needs of the user. They may come with a seat or a motorised seat, non-slip trays, extra width, temperature-controlled taps and settings or an optional shower screen. Some options even include air spa, chromotherapy, and the option for wireless sound. A power or motorised seat is a good choice for those who have more serious disabilities and suffer from very reduced mobility. Though you will need to make sure that you hire a qualified installer to connect it to a source of electricity.
As well as walk-in showers and easy access baths, other bathroom accessories that make bathing easier include grab rails which offer support when getting in and out of the bath or shower, and a shower seat which can help to avoid the risk of falling or injury when bending.
The cost of a walk-in bath with a door varies depending on the additional features required. The cost of installation can also vary depending on the type of model and additional features. A walk-in bath can cost around £1500 for a good quality model and can go up to around £5000 or more, for those with added extras.
If you are looking to reduces costs, it may be worth considering looking for a bath that is the same size as your existing bath and placing it in the same position in your bathroom. This will help keep the total cost of the bath and installation to a minimum.
Remember, those with a chronic illness or disability will be able to claim back the 20% VAT on both the bath and home installation.